46 U.S. Code § 70504 - Jurisdiction and venue

(a) Jurisdiction.— Jurisdiction of the United States with respect to a vessel subject to this chapter is not an element of an offense. Jurisdictional issues arising under this chapter are preliminary questions of law to be determined solely by the trial judge.

(b) Venue.— A person violating section
70503 or
70508 of this title shall be tried in the district court of the United States for—